At the dining table, Prasad was effusive in his praises all the way, and as if icing his seductive cake, he said, ‘I feel I’ve tasted food for the first time in life, it’s like an annaprasana for me.’
‘You exaggerate a great deal mister,’ said a visibly embarrassed Roopa.
‘You’ll know how I feel if only you could taste your preparations with my palate,’ said Prasad pursuing his game-plan. ‘How I wish Sathyam will come out with an empirical formula of relativity of palates. Then, that should prove me right. Don’t you know how good he is at maths?’
‘Why don’t you stay back tonight,’ suggested an apparently flattered Sathyam.
‘I would have loved to, but I have got to go now,’ said Prasad, hoping to create the impression that he was not the one to take undue advantage of his friend’s generosity.
‘At least, till Rani is back from Delhi,’ said Sathyam, ‘keep having your dinners here.’
‘It’s worth going miles to have her preparations,’ said Prasad, ‘and enjoy your company. But why trouble my sister.’
‘You’re always welcome,’ said Roopa in spite of herself.
‘Then I’m no fool to miss out on the fare,’ said Prasad to Roopa. ‘Thank you, and good night for now.’
Though Prasad insisted that he would carry on his own, Sathyam persisted in seeing him off at the street corner. In time, as he returned home, said Sathyam to Roopa, ‘That’s why it is said it’s a small world! How nice we met again. I hope you liked your new brother.’
‘Looks like he’s an interesting character,’ said Roopa.
‘It goes to his credit that there’s no change in his attitude, in spite of his prosperity,’ said Sathyam. ‘Yet we see people putting on airs though they wouldn’t get to spell the ‘S’ of success. How they spread the rumor that a businessman roped him in for his plain daughter! What a pity that a lovematch was dubbed as a mercenary marriage, and why not as through jealous eyes, all that is seen is green isn’t it? Well, I’m sure we’ll pick up the threads from where we had left them.’
Struggling to catch up with the elusive sleep that night, Roopa contemplated, ‘If only Raja were to be in Prasad’s place, what a different time it would have been! What would Raja be doing now? Does he remember me, leave alone craving for me?’
‘What separates these two remarkably handsome men?’ Roopa couldn’t help but compare them. ‘Whereas Prasad has a pleasing face, Raja’s demeanor is demanding, isn’t it? True, Prasad exudes self-confidence but Raja personifies self-worth itself. No denying that Prasad looks handsome, but oh, how Raja abounds with that sex appeal. No doubt, Prasad is a pleasant person, but is not Raja a lovable persona. Prasad might charm women with his dash but Raja captivates them with his romantic aura. Besides, who would have Raja’s compelling eyes with that penetrating looks. Above all, Raja is the he-man and my dream man at that, there’s no mistaking that.’